Most reality competitions on network television are still trying to find the bottom of their ratings. “The Voice” and “Dancing with the Stars” keep rolling downhill from the days when they topped the ratings charts, and “American Idol” set some sort of land speed record for a fall from grace.

But the erosion has been much slower for “Survivor,” while its competitors on Wednesday nights have crashed. The result: In its 16th year – and 31st season – “Survivor” is back on top in the 8 p.m. time slot.

Last week gave the show a clean win, its 9.2 million viewers defeating ABC’s “The Middle,” its closest competition, by more than 1.5 million.

“Survivor” once put up gigantic numbers; the finale of the first season drew more than 50 million viewers. But for several years now, “Survivor” has watched its numbers decline at a slower pace than most veteran shows, revealing a core audience that just won’t go away.

The current season, “Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chances,” in some ways is cashing in on that loyalty, bringing back players from its first two seasons in Kelly Wiglesworth, Jeff Varner and Kimmy Kappenberg.

CBS’s other elderly reality show, “The Amazing Race,” continues to do well in its second year on Friday nights. It is sitting a solid second to “Last Man Standing” and “Dr. Ken” at 8 p.m., hooking about 6 million viewers a week.

“The Voice” 8 p.m. tonight and Monday, NBC The coaches rounded out their teams Monday night as the blind auditions came to an end. Tonight’s episode is a “best of” the blinds, and the battle rounds begin next week.

“Project Runway” 9 p.m. Thursday, Lifetime Season 14 seems to be getting a little more clarity, as Ashley Nell Tipton, Candice Cuoco and Edmond Newton have separated themselves from the other four designers still competing. Laurie Underwood went home as expected after her recent struggles. More surprising is that Swapnil Shinde, who finished in the top group five weeks in a row, has landed in the bottom two of the past three weeks.

“America’s Next Top Model” 8 p.m. Friday,the CW Dustin McNeer, eliminated four weeks earlier, won his way back onto the show in last week’s episode. The seven remaining models were paired with the seven already eliminated for a series of “go sees” – model talk for an interview with a designer. Dustin took top honors, while Justin Kim and Devin Clark finished in the bottom. We’ll have to wait until Friday to learn which of them will be sent home.

“Dancing With the Stars” 8 p.m. Monday, ABC Alfonso Ribeiro was scheduled to stand in for Tom Bergeron in Monday’s episode, which aired after the deadline for this column. Bergeron was in Canada visiting his ailing father. Ribeiro is no stranger to the “DWTS” floor, having won the contest two seasons ago with pro partner Witney Carson.

Last week, a mini-controvery brewed as Kim Zolciak and pro partner Tony Dovolani were eliminated because they could not dance at the live show or dress rehearsal. Zolciak, who suffered a minor stroke, was cleared by her doctors to dance but not to fly, leaving her stuck in Atlanta. She is trying to rally support for her return through an online petition. Kim’s disqualification saved some other team from being eliminated through normal channels.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7724 or mhewitt@ocregister.com or @WatcherofTV on Twitter or The Watcher on Facebook.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.